Liverpool hold 'positive negotiations' with Canada international
- Liverpool have been linked with a move for Sporting CP's Olivia Smith
- Canada international made the move to Europe only 12 months ago
- Merseyside club will need to break their transfer record for possible deal
Liverpool have held "positive negotiations" with Canada international Olivia Smith, according to a new report.
The Reds are set to bolster their squad this summer after securing their highest finish in the WSL since last winning the title in 2014. They clinched fourth place ahead of north west rivals Manchester United to cement their status as a top club in England once more, leading to Matt Beard being honoured as WSL Manager of the Season.
After breaking their transfer record only 12 months ago to sign Sophie Roman Haug for £100,000 from Roma, Liverpool will now need to more than double it land Smith from Sporting CP.
According to the BBC, Smith is a priority target and Liverpool are willing to trigger a €250,000 (£210,000) release clause. Promising talks with the player have been ongoing for several months.
They are also described as "confident" about beating "several top clubs" to Smith's signature. Links with Liverpool first emerged at the beginning of the summer when she was also tentatively linked with WSL rivals Arsenal.
Briefly attending Penn State university in 2022, 19-year-old Smith made the move to Europe 12 months ago when she signed her first professional contract with Sporting. In 18 league appearances for her club last term, she scored 13 goals and registered nine assists.
At the end of the 2023/24 campaign, it was announced that Emma Koivisto, Miri Taylor, Melissa Lawley and Shanice van de Sanden would be departing Liverpool on the expiration of their contracts.
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